Al Nassr 'targeting' two of Cristiano Ronaldo's former managers as next boss

Al Nassr are targeting two of Cristiano Ronaldo's former managers to become their next boss, according to reports.

The Saudi Pro League side are currently on the hunt for a new manager after sacking Frenchman Rudi Garcia earlier this week after his relationship with the players broke down. According to CBS Sports, Al Nassr are keen to replace Garcia with a high-profile appointment and have identified Zinedine Zidane and Jose Mourinho as potential candidates.

The report adds that both Zidane and Mourinho have been identified by the club in collaboration with Ronaldo, who joined the club on a free transfer in January.

Ronaldo has previously played under both managers at Real Madrid, enjoying considerable success with Zidane and Mourinho at the Spanish giants.

Zidane would perhaps be more likely to take the job, with the 50-year-old remaining unattached since leaving Real Madrid in the summer of 2021.

Meanwhile, Mourinho is into his second season in charge of Roma in Italy and has another year remaining on his contract.

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Mourinho managed his compatriot for three seasons at the Santiago Bernabeu between 2010 and 2013. During that period, Ronaldo scored a staggering 168 goals in 164 appearances.

The pair also won both a league title and the Copa del Rey together before Mourinho's departure. Ronaldo later played under Zidane during his first spell as Los Blancos boss.

Between 2016 and 2018, Ronaldo scored 112 goals in 114 matches and won three consecutive Champions Leagues as well as a Spanish league title.

The 37-year-old has enjoyed an impressive start to life in Saudi Arabia, scoring 11 goals in 12 matches for the club already as they challenge for the league title.

However, he is currently set to play under youth team boss Dinko Jelitic against Al Hilal on Tuesday following the sacking of Garcia.

In a club statement, Al Nassr confirmed Garcia's departure by saying: "Al-Nassr can announce that head coach Rudi Garcia has left the club by mutual agreement. The board and everyone at Al-Nassr would like to thank Rudi and his staff for their dedicated work during the past eight months."

Garcia's exit comes with Al Nassr second in the Saudi Pro League with seven matches remaining, three points adrift of current league leaders Al Ittihad.